Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Finance reviewed Bill 13, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 1993-94. At its meeting in Yellowknife on February 9, 12, and March 2, 1994, the committee was pleased that the chairman of the Financial Management Board and his staff were available to answer questions at the required time. This supplementary appropriation is for $8.388 million in operation and maintenance and $1.505 million in capital spending, for a total of $9.893 million or about one per cent of the total 1993-94 budget.

Most of the items are quite straightforward. However, some of the items raised issues which concerned the standing committee and which may be raised by standing committee Members here in committee of the whole. These issues include poor forecasting by some departments, the issuing of special warrants to cover expenses previously incurred, responsibility for costs related to land claims and poor monitoring of negotiated contracts.

On the other hand, the standing committee is glad to see the implementation of the community policing pilot project. We feel that such programs will be of great benefit in providing northerners with an effective system of community-based justice.

The standing committee also supports and encourages the proposal for divisional boards of education to be directly responsible for the management of utilities and expenditures. This will be an important step in encouraging boards and all government agencies to use energy wisely. The standing committee is encouraged that this request for supplementary funding is, comparatively speaking, as small as it is. This may suggest that the government is improving its planning and budgeting process. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.